TS Dorian: 11 p.m. update

A weakened Tropical Storm Dorian passed across the southern tip of Barbados about 10 p.m., said the Barbados Meteorological Services.

In the latest weather bulletin issued at 11 p.m., Dorian was centred near 13.2N, 59.7W or just to the south-west of Barbados.

Aircraft investigating the system found that the storm weakened slightly, with maximum sustained winds now near 45 miles per hour (mph), down from around 60 at 8 p.m.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the centre and the system continues to move towards the west-northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h).

Barbados experienced sustained wind-speeds of 38mph (61km) with gusts to 55mph (88 km/h) during the last few hours. Similar conditions are likely to persist for the next few hours with a gradual decrease thereafter.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the country, and this means that tropical storm conditions are occurring.

Cloudy to overcast skies, scattered showers and periods of rain will continue to spread across the island into early tomorrow. An additional one to two inches (25 to 50mm) of rainfall is still likely. Residents are urged to remain on the alert and take all necessary precautions.

Easterly to south-easterly swells of 2.0 to 3.0m (7 to 10ft) are also forecast to persist. Sea-bathers and other users of the sea are advised to stay out of the water.

The High-Surf Advisory has been discontinued but the Small-Craft Warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. today.

A Small-craft Warning means that, in this case, mean wind-speeds of 43 to 52 knots (80 to 97 km/h) and/or seas equal to or greater than 3m (10ft) will be affecting the marine area. The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 2 a.m. (PR/SAT)